THE CAVAN OBSERVER Vol. 1 - No. 1, Cavan, Saturday, July 11, 1857
Printed and published by Charlotte BOURNES, Main Street, Cavan On the mornings
of every Saturday

TO OUR FRIENDS AND SUBSCRIBERS. A vacancy for a new journal has lately
occurred in the County of Cavan, which we have succeeded in filling up after
some exertion and unavoidable delay. That want was occasioned by a melancholy
event, which deprived the public of a faithful journalist, and, at the same
time, the youthful proprietors of this paper of a fond parent - we mean the
orphan children of the late Mr. WALLACE. . . .

In presenting our readers with the first number of the OBSERVER, we
can have but little difficulty in expressing in general terms the course of
policy we intend to pursue. We shall strongly advocate the preservation of
existing institutions, and steadfastly guard vested rights and interest,
believing that the stability of government is the surest bulwark for the
protection of the life, liberty, and property of the subject, and that
revolutions or sudden political changes are generally unjust in their
operation, mischievous in their tendency, and of precarious existence . . .

The interests of the agricultural class will command the special
attention of the CAVAN OBSERVER. The proceedings of such agricultural societies
as are at present in existence will be fully reported, and the establishment of
new ones in districts where they may still be wanting will be strenuously
urged, not only because such societies are calculated to advance the most
useful of all sciences, but because they tend to encourage a friendly
intercourse and a mutual co-operation between the owners and the tillers of the
soil, which cannot fail to promote the best interests of society at large . . .

The miscellaneous news of the week will be carefully selected so as to
meet the tastes of all classes of readers, and to render the OBSERVER an
interesting Family Newspaper . . .

We cannot conclude without expressing a hope that the kind
consideration of our friends will induce them to make due allowance for the
difficulties attendant on the establishment of a new paper, and to overlook
whatever faults of omission or commission may be apparent in this, our first
number.

GREAT CATTLE SHOW OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY OF
IRELAND, FOR THE YEAR 1858 MEETING AT CAVAN

A meeting of the Landed Proprietors and Farmers of the County of Cavan
and adjacent Counties, was held in the Court House of Cavan, on Wednesday, the
1st inst-as convened by public advertisement, for the purpose of taking the
necessary measures to have the Great Cattle Show for 1858 held at Cavan.

"That it is the opinion of this meeting that it would prove highly
advantageous to all classes in this County to have the Great Annual Cattle Show
of the royal Agricultural Improvement Society for Ireland, for the year 1858,
held at Cavan.

The second Resolution was proposed by Joseph STORY, Esq., J.P., and
seconded by M. NETTERFIELD, Esq. Resolved -

That we pledge ourselves to use our best exertions in our several
localities, to carryout the views of this meeting, and to procure the funds
requisite to bring the undertaking to a successful termination.

The third Resolution was proposed by William TATLOW, Esq., and
seconded by J.H. ADAMS, Esq., D.L., J.P. Resolved-

That the Committee appointed to promote the foregoing object be
empowered to enter into the requisite guarantee with the Royal Agricultural
Improvement Society.

Carried unanimously.J.P. MAXWELL, Chairman.

CAVAN UNION

The Guardians met in the board-room of the workhouse on Tuesday.
THEOPHILUS THOMPSON, Esq., presided. Other Guardians present - Abraham
BRUSH, John ROGERS. Hugh BRADY, James M'CAFFRY, David F. JONES, Robert FEGAN,
John Garnett TATLOW, Peter and Thomas SMITH, Esqrs.

State of the house for the week ended 4th July: -- Remaining on
previous Saturday, 231; admitted during the week, 18; born, 1; discharged, 20;
died, 1; remaining on Saturday, 229.

Balance against the Union £208.10s. 5d; general average cost of
a pauper, 2s; do. of a healthy inmate, ls 71/2 d; average cost in infirmary,
2s.2d; do, in fever hospital, 3s.2d.

On Monday last the residing magistrates were Mr. THOMPSON and Mr.
M'FARLAND,

IMPORTANT TO VINTNERS

Constable Thomas TALBOT summoned Mrs. LUNDY, Mrs. MANNING and John
MOLLOY, proprietors of public-houses and tents at the Strawberry beds, for
having their premises open "for the sale of spirituous liquors at times
prohibited by law, to persons not being travellers, inmates, or lodgers on the
evening of Sunday the 28th June last pursuant to the provisions of the Act, 14
& 15 Vict. Cap. 93".

Constable Thomas TALBOT was sworn, and proved that he was in Mrs.
LUNDY's house at five minutes past nine o'clock on the evening in question and
saw a number of people; they were principally from the city. He was also in
Mrs. MANNING's house, at ten minutes past nine, where there were a great number
of people; and in Mr. MOLLOY's house at a quarter past nine, and saw a great
number there also.

On cross-examination, the constable admitted that he saw no liquor
sold, no person drunk, nor no rioting or misconduct of any kind.

The gentleman who attended for the defendants urged on the bench that
as the law permitted proprietors of licensed houses to see to their customers
drink up to 9 o'clock in the afternoon of Sundays--and, as a great number of
persons must necessarily be on the premises up to the last minute, it was but a
national interpretation of the law, to allow the proprietors a short time to
clear their houses, and hence the police regulations of the city of Dublin,
where the houses are allowed to remain open until half-past nine, for this
purpose. The magistrates, however, thought otherwise and fined the parties 10s.
each--being the lowest penalty in the Act.

INCUMBERED ESTATES COURT

(From the "Farmer's Gazette.)

The following petitions were lodged from Friday, the 26th of June, to
Thursday, the 2nd of July, 1857, both days inclusive:--

In the Matter of the Estate of James BRIEN, Geo. BRIEN, Edward
BRIEN, and Francis BRIEN, Owners Exparte

Isabella CRUMMER, Petitioner

THE commissioners having ordered a Sale of the Lands of Shanadaragh
and Curnagunlogh, Cullegh, Drumlohgher, Drumledin, Sananaragh, and Drumledin,
and Corlough, situate in the Barony of Tullyhaw, and County of Cavan, held
under lease dated the 10th April, 1718, from the Bishop Raphoe, for lives
renewable for ever, and which Lands are included in the denominations of
Ballymagord, Owngally, Gortneglough, Drumedin or Ballylennin, in said lease
mentioned:

All parties objecting to a Sale of the said Lands, or having claims
thereon, are hereby required to take Notice of such Order.

The thirty-fifth report of the Inspectors-General of Prisons, on the
state of the prisons in Ireland in 1856, has just been presented to parliament.
We glean the following particulars from it, relative to Cavan jail:--Average
daily number of prisoners--males, 42; females, 25. Punishments for prison
offences for the five months, from 1st January to 27th May, 1856--males, 34;
females 17; total, 51.

William FARRELL, an Irishman, was shot during the Washington riot with
an ounce ball, and after the fight the ball was found cut nearly in two and
flattened against his skull, while the man was not seriously
injured.

July 25, 1857

THE ASSIZES

As the judges advance through their circuits, the assizes seem to lose
the quiet monotony that characterised their commencement. As Judge MOORE was
moving towards Belfast, he was debating with himself about the most felicitous
language in which to convey his congratulations to the Grand Jury of Antrim,
upon the tranquility of their county, when lo! within a few days of the opening
of the commission, a series of the most violent and disgraceful riots occurred,
which altogether changed the current of his thoughts. There peace reigned
undisturbed for a long time previous to the twelfth of July, when a wicked
madness seemed to have taken possession of the people, producing hatred,
strife, and bloodshed, and involving some fifty persons in the meshes of the
law. It is thought that the annual repetition of these "wicked and unmeaning
riots," to use the words of the learned Judge, in some district of the north,
is the natural result of the leniency with which similar acts of violence have
been heretofore treated. On Wednesday last, the Grand Jury found true bills
against all the parties said to be implicated; and, without intending to say a
word calculated to prejudice the full, clear, and impartial trial of the
accused, we trust that the most stern means will be resorted to against the
originators and ringleaders to warn others from indulging in such pernicious
ebullitions of bigotry for the future.

At the Queen's County, Mayo, and other Assizes, several women were
indicted for election riots. On pleading guilty, they were discharged with a
caution from the learned Judge "not to interfere again in electioneering
affairs." Can it be that the soft sex are induced to take this striking
interest in the election of legislators by the bills lately introduced into
parliament peculiarly relating to themselves? If so, and as they have no votes,
is it not too bad that they should thus be prevented from giving some proof of
the anxiety they feel in the matter?

At the King's County Assizes, on Monday, Denis GROGAN, found guilty of
poisoning the Rev. Dr. ALEXADER, by negligently selling arsenic for arrow root,
was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. The counsel said it was an
inconsistency in the existing law that none but licensed apothecaries could
sell medicines, while any one might sell poison; and the Judge suggested that
it should be made a serious offence for any grocer to have poison near the
other articles in his shop.

An accident of an alarming nature, but we are happy to state
unattended with any serious result, occurred on last Tuesday. As a jaunting car
on which were seated Mrs. KNOX, wife of the Rev. Arthur KNOX, and her son, was
proceeding down the Barrack Hill, the horse became restive, and ran furiously
through the town. Fortunately he was stopped without any serious result having
ensued, save the shock that Mr. KNOX must have encountered in having been
thrown from the car, the shafts of which were broken; the animal also sustained
a few slight bruises.

VISIT OF PRINCE NAPOLEON TO BELFAST.--On Saturday evening, His
Imperial Highness, Prince Napoleon arrived in the Imperial yatch (sic), La
Reine Hortense, in the Carrickfergus roads and travelled by rail to Belfast,
where he was received by Adam DUFFIN, Esq., Consul of France, who conducted his
Imperial Highness to the many places worth visiting in the town. After a three
hours' visit the Prince (who travels "incog."), accompanied by his suite, which
was very small, and Mr. DUFFIN, left for Cultra, where he embarked and sailed
at once. La Reine Hortense must be in Cherbourg by the 3rd of August, to convey
the Emperor, Empress, and suite, to Osborne Castle on a visit to her
Majesty.

ASSIZES INTELLIGENCE

COUNTY MAYO

THE ASSAULT ON COLONEL HIGGINS' WITNESS

James CASEY, Thomas MURPHY, James GILDEA, Michael CARNEY and James
WELSH were indicted for a riot and affray in the town of Castlebar on the 7th
of July last, and also for an assault on one John GANNON, so as to endanger his
life.

The case excited great interest, GANNON being one of the witnesses
examined before the committee of the House of Commons as to threats held out to
him for voting at the last election for Colonel HIGGINS.

From the evidence of GANNON it appeared he arrived from London on the
6th of July, and on making his appearance the following day in Castlebar, he
was hooted and shouted at wherever he went; as soon as he got near the bridge
the crowd became very great; stones and clods were flung at him; he then tried
to get into COOLEY's public house, but was thrust out; he then ran for a forge
kept by one Michael GAVIN, under a shower of stones and missiles; when he got
into the forge he ran on the loft; stones were thrown up after him; MURPHY and
CARNEY were two of the boys in the forge; did not see any other of the
prisoners there; only observed them among the crowd at the bridge; MURPHY got
on the stairs and struck him with a stone; CARNEY struck him on the arm with an
immense shovel; Michael GAVIN then came up to protect him; there was a hole in
the floor near them; heard GAVIN call out stop that work, and when he stooped
to look what it was a rod of iron was pushed up and struck him in the eye; he
has lost the sight, and has ever since been quite blind.

On cross-examination, he denied having given any offence to the
people, or that he had given false evidence against the priest; his sister was
the first person who attacked him that day, and accused him of having perjured
himself and disgraced his family; the crowd chiefly consisted of women and
children; could see none of the prisoners do anything but the two boys, CARNEY
and MURPHY; he is generally known by the name of Lordy GANNON; got no blow that
day that marked him, except the thrust in the eye; if he had not looked down
close to the hole he might have escaped it.

The smith and his son gave the same account of the general row....Dr
KNOTT proved the injury GANNON received in the eye, which appeared in a
desperate swollen state, and gave it as his opinion that the chance of his
recovering even partial sight was very weak indeed; at present he was quite
blind; admitted there was no mark on any part of him except the injury to the
eye.

Some witnesses having been examined for the defence, John MURPHY and
Michael CARNEY were found guilty, the other prisoners being acquitted.

After the above case had terminated eight persons, named Anne M'HALE,
Catherine CULKEEN, Thomas BLEWITT, John JORDAN, Honora KILROY, Mary KIRKWOOD,
Patrick COLMES, and Michael M'HALE, were charged with a riot and affray at
Killala on the 7th of April last.

Head-constable GRANGER stated that he is stationed at Killala; he was
in Ballina on duty on the 7th of April last and with Constable CONNOR and
sub-constables PALMER and DURCAN, he escorted from that place, Mr. Daniel
MADDEN, of Barley Castle, one of Colonel Higgins's voters; when they arrived at
Killala the prisoners, Catherine CULKEEN and Anne M'HALE, with others, hissed
and groaned them, and flung stones; to avoid the mob they proceeded along a bye
road round the strand to Barley Castle, but they were still followed by a crowd
of about 150 persons of both sexes, amongst whom were all the prisoners except
Mrs. M'HALE, shouting and using threathing (sic) language and gestures; some
called Mr. MADDEN a disgrace to his creed and country in voting for Colonel
Higgins; others said he sold his vote, and asked what he got for it; the
violence of the mob increased to such an extent that the police were compelled
to fix bayonets, in order to protect Mr. MADDEN; the mob then began to fling
stones, and the prisoner BLEWITT said he would meet Mr. MADDEN when he would
have not police to guard him.

The jury acquitted Michael M'HALE, and convicted all the other
prisoners on the indictment charging them with an affray.

KING'S COUNTY

CHARGE OF POISONING

Denis GROGAN was charged with having caused the death of the Rev.
James ALEXANDER, L.L.D., at Killigally in the King's County.

The facts of the case were these:--The deceased took ill on the 13th
of last March; on the 15th he became worse, and Dr. FRY was called in; on the
16th a messenger, Charles QUINN, was sent to Ferbane to procure in the
establishment of Mr. Edward WHITFIELD a pound of arrowroot. The messenger gave
what he received to the butler, who gave it to one of the daughters of the
deceased, by her it was given to her sister, and by that young lady handed to
the cook. A portion of the matter purchased at the shop was given to the
reverend gentleman, and he was suddenly seized with vomiting. This occurred on
the 16th of March, and on the 2nd of April Dr. ALEXANDER died. The stomach of
the deceased was analised by Dr. GEOGHEGAN, of Dublin, and he, with the other
medical men who attended the deceased, was of opinion that, though sixteen days
had elapsed, the death of the deceased had been undoubtedly caused by
arsenic.

It came out in evidence that some arsenic had been kept in a bottle in
an open office which was in the same yard as that in which the kitchen stood,
but there was not any proof that the fatal event had taken place through any
negligence in the house of the deceased.

The Chief Justice, in charging the jury, said he felt it his duty to
lay down the law on the subject, in order that the public might be protected
from the negligence of shopkeepers, who chose to sell food and poison in the
same shop, and to make profit thereby. His observations were equally applicable
to apothecaries as to grocers; and he held the law to be, that if a party sold
poison when he was asked for food, and death ensued, even though the acts were
unintentional, he rendered himself liable to be charged with manslaughter. The
law did not require that there should have been gross negligence--all that was
necessary was to show that there had been such criminal inattention or culpable
negligence as to cause the act which led to the death of the person to whom the
poison was administered.

The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to six
months' imprisonment.

IRISH BUILDING NEWS

The first stone of the new Roman Catholic Church at Clondalkin,
Dublin, was laid on Sunday, 5th July.

The Episcopal Free Church at Kingstown is to be remodelled--plans
furnished by Mr. J. McCURDY, architect, for that purpose having been
selected.

An additional building is being erected to the Presentation Convent,
Clare, and the first stone was laid on the 22d of June. Mr. Robert FARRELL, of
Lombard-street, is the builder.

The foundation stone of St. Mary's new church at Athlone, was laid on
the 29th ult, in presence of a large number of spectators, who had come from
Dublin and elsewhere in witness the ceremony.

We hear that new National Schools of a comprehensive character are to
be built at Omagh and Londonderry, these being the first designed by the Board
of Works officials since the agricultural department of the Board of Education
was transferred to that body.

The District Model National School, to be built at Newtonards, will,
at least, in an artistic point of view, be the most creditable for any yet
executed; however, as we propose describing this building fully hereafter, we
content ourselves for the present with a mere reference thereto.

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